Invalid-chair



G. D. GOODWIN.

INVALID CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED .IAN.3I. 1921.

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G. D. GOODWIN.

INVALID CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31

INVENTOR.

3 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

Patented May 31, 1921.

GQQQQQD. Goodwin.

G D. GOODWIN.

INVALID CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN 31. I92].

Patented May 31, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

689C193 D GOOdWtnfNl ENTOR,

VTORNEY.

GEGRGE D. GOODWIN, 0F MORAE, MOHTANA.

INVALID-CHAIR.

Application filed January 31, 1921. Serial No. 441,319.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE D. Gooowm, a citizen of the United States, residing at McRae P. 0., in the county of Treasure and State of Montana, have invented certaln new and useful Improvements in Invalid- Chairs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in invalid chairs.

An important object of the invention is to provide a chair of this character which may be readily converted to a couch by the occupant of the chair without leaving the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the chair may be secured at any desired angle, either when in the form of achair or when converted to a couch.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a chair of this character means whereby the chair maybe employed as a rocker or may be locked against rocking movement when desired, and to provide a novel and efiicient locking mechanism for holding the chair against rocking movement.

A still further object is to provide a novel and improved chair construction permitting the conversion oft-he chair into acouch, and to provide in this structure means whereby the couch structure is provided with a seat or engaging portion in the couch structure preventing slipping of the occupant of the chair when arranged as a couch and at a considerable angle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent throughout the course of the following description In the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, and. wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a chair constructed in accordance with my invention, the handles of the chair being shown in the folded position in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View therethrough showing in full lines the chair extended to form a couch and in dotted lines in normal position;

Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof, parts being is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of F i 7; and

1g. 9 is a section on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

- eferring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a wheel supported frame having extending upwardly from each side thereof a pair of converging brace members or supports 11 oined at their upper ends and adapted for the reception of a pivot 12, which pivot is adapted to selectively engage in pairs of aIined openings 13, formed 1n the'plate 14 carried by the side members 15, and in theside members 15'. The pairs of openings 13 are formed in a row extending horizontally of the side members 15 in order that the pivot of the side members 15 upon the supports 11 may be horizontally adjusted to vary the supporting point as desired.

The side members 15 have secured to their upper surfaces arm supports 16, and secured to the supports 11 are circular adjusting rails 17. These adjusting rails need not be in the form of a complete circle, such as illustrated, but may, if desired, be discontinned at the lines designated by X, so that the adjusting rail constitutes merely an arcuate segment. Extending through the rear ends of the arms 16 are horizontally and transversely arranged adjusting bolts 18, the outer ends of which are headed. These bolts are directed through clamping members l9.and 19 and are each surrounded by a spring 20 which extends intermediate the arms 16 and the respective clampingmember 19 or 19 as the case may be in order to force the clamping member outwardly against the headed bolt 18. v

Suitably secured to the under surface of the arm 16 or to the side member 15 is a horizontally disposed plate 21 upon which is pivotally. mounted a bell crank lever 22, one arm of which is pivotally connected, as at 23, to the forward end of the member 19, being preferably disposed within a slot l9 formed in the member. The other arm of the bell crank lever is connected by a link 23 to the pivotal latch member 24, the connection between the link and the latch member being preferably such that when the member is m the locking position the con.- nection lies beyond the center line. so as to maintain the latch member 24 in locked position, except when forcibly removed. It will be seen that when the latch member is in the locked position the link 23 is shifted forwardly, causing the member 19 to move inwardly and bind against the adjusting rail 17, clamping the same against the side of the arm 16 and holding the correspondin;- side 15 against rotation about its pivot.

In order to insure movement of the member 19 simultaneously with the member 19 to clamp its respective adjusting rail l pivotally mount upon the plate 21 a plate 25 and connect this plate 25 with the aim of the bell crank 22 to which the link 23 is. connected by means of the link 26 so that when the bell crank 22 is shifted the plate 25 is rotated about its pivotal axis. 1 likewise pivotally connect to the plate 25 a link 27 which extends through an opening formed in the arm 16. To the support extending outwardly from the opposite side of the chair, I pivotally connect one end of the lever 28 and connect this lever intermediate its ends to the forward end of the arm 19 To the rear end of this lever 28 thelink 30 is con nected and extends through an opening formed in the arm 16 of the corresponding side of the chair the length of the links 30 and 27 being such that their ends overlap as shown in Fig. 2. The clamping yoke 31 is employed to secure the links 27 and 30 against relative movement and likewise serves as means for adjusting the tension of the link 30 and corres tiondino'ly the amount of grip applied by the member 19 to its corresponding adjusting rail. I

It will of course be obvious that the sides 15, being connected for simultaneous movement. the provision of a locking means at both sides of the chair will be unnecessary except that in locking both sides of the chair any strain upon the body of the chair by the tendency of an unloclmd side to sag or shift about its pivot is effectively eliminated. I do not. accordingly, wish to be. understood as limiting myself to the provision of locking means at both sides of the chair.

The links 27 and 30 extend through and form pivotal mountings for the vertical uprights 32 for the back member 33. The pivotal movement of the uprights 32 aoout the links 27 and 30 is limited by members assumes 34 secured to the inner faces of the side members 15'which embody an inclined face 35 against which the uprights 32 engage when the back is arranged in the inclining position, and a. substantially vertical face 36 againstwhich the uprights 32 engage when the heel is in the normal or vertical position.

To the forward face. of the members 32 are secured supporting blocks 37 which form a support for a seat structure 38 composed of slotted, flexibly connected slats. The upper surface of the supporting blocks 37 is suitably curved so as to form a support for and fit to the curvature of the body formation of the base of the spine. To these supporting blocks 37, at the forward portions thereof, are pivotally connected longitudinally extending seat supports 39 to form a support for the slats of the seat structure 38 and which are secured to a transversely extending connecting member 40.

The ends of the transversely extending connecting member 40 are pivotally connected to the lower ends of links -11, the upper ends of which are pivotally mounted upon the exterior of the side members 15 adjacent the forward ends of the tops thereof, as at 4:2. It will be seen that if the back 33 is rotated, the pivotal connection of the seat supports 39 to the blocks 37 and the connect1on of the connecting member 40 of the seatsupports 49 to the links 41 will cause the seat to rotate upon the links and about their pivot to the blocks 47 and approach a line paralleling the back structure. Due, however, to the solid mounting of the blocks 37, the seat portion 38 will be offset from the back to afford a shoulder 38 receiving the rump of the occupant of the chair and preventing slipping upon the incline of the chair structure when arranged as a couch.

To the forward ends of the members 39 are pivotally connected the longitudinally extending members 43 of a leg support 43. The leg support 43 is pivotally connected intermediate its ends, as at 4L5, to the lower end of the vertical uprights 32 of the back structure. It will be seen that as the couch back is rotated about its pivot, the pivotal connection of the leg support t3 and of the ends of the uprights 32 approach one another and, accordingly. the links 4% force the leg support as to rotate about its pivotal connection to the members 39 until it is alincd with the seat structure 38 when the movement of the member 43 is terminated by the abutment of the ends of the members 23 thereof with the members Conversely,

when the couch is returned to the vertical pivots until they underlie the bottom of the l Y shaped seat and are so disposed as to prevent their interference with the operation or manipulation of the chair.

It will be understood that the inclination of the back member need not be continued to a point where the couch formation is complete, but if so desired, the back may be sufficiently inclined to afford a lazy back. Means'for locking the chair either in the couch position or in any of its other positions which may be desired are provided,

consisting in the present instance in a standard 46 mounted upon one of the arms 16 of the sides 15 and to which are pivotally connected a bell crank lever. One arm of this bell crank lever forms an operating handle 47 and to the other arm thereof is connected one end of a link 18 which extends through an opening 49 formed in the arm. The member 50 is secured to the lower end of the vertical upright 32 at the corresponding side of the chair, and is arcuately curved with the pivot of the member 32 as a center, and extends adjacent the corresponding side 15 of the chair.

The member 50 extends through a guide member 51 to which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends a lever 51 having oneend in the form of a cam engaging the member 50 and the opposite end adapted for the adjustable reception of the free end of the link 48. By to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 the cam is released from its engagement with the member 50 and, accordingly, the vertical upright 32 may be shifted with respect to the side members. When the desired adjustments have been made, the handle 47 is returned to its solid line position in this figure, and locks the members 32 against shifting and, accordingly, prevents the relative shifting of the parts of the chair structure.

To the vertical supports 11 at each side of the chair are secured supporting members 52 embodying a clamping yoke 53. Through this clamping yoke 53 are slidably directed arcuately curved arms of a U- shaped member 54, which arms are provided at their rear ends with clamping yokes 54".

Through these clamping yokes are directed the arms of similarly constructed U- members 55. By releasing the clamping yokes 53 and 54 the members 54 and may be extended to form a handle by means ofivl1i rh the chair may be guided when moved from place to place.

In Figs. 7,8 and 9 I have illustrated a locking brace particularly well adapted for use in connection with my chair for locking the same in position as a chair, or for looking the same when used as a couch to prevent accidental relative shifting of the back and seat when in either of these positions. As. shown in these figures this brace conshifting the operating handle chair. The connection of these links is what is commonly termed a broken point of connection. 1 Q

By inspecting Fig. 7 it will be seen that when the chair back is in a vertical-position and the device. being employed as a chair, the links 56 and 59 are proximately alined, being swung a little past the point of center to the lower side of a line drawn between the pivots of the remote ends of the links. Further pivotal movement of the links 56 and 59 with relation to one another when in this position is prevented by reason of the fact that that portion of the link 56 forming the base of the U engages the upper surface of the link 59, as indicated at 61. When it is desired to change the relative positions of the back and seat, the point of connection of the links may be elevated and the chair shifted. \Vhen the chair reaches a couch position the links 56 and 59 assume the position shown in Fig. 7 in dotted lines and are a ain locked against movement by reason of the fact that-the link 59 is provided with a bend or offset 62 which permits swinging of the pivot point 60 of the links past the line of center. From the foregoing it will be seen that I Have provided 'meaus for positively locking the chair against movement, both when in use as a chair and as a couch. 1

From the foregoing it will be seen that I haveconstructed a chair wherein the maxi mum possibility of adjustment and, accordingly, the maximum comfort is possible; and it will likewise be seen that the construction is such that all of the operations of adjusting the chair may be made by the occupant of. the chair without leaving the same. The "chair when being utilized as such may be released for rocking movement.

justments of my chair are made possible,

and I, accordingly, do not limit myself to the specific structure, as hereinbefore set forth, except as so limited by the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a chair, spaced supports, side members pivotally mounted thereon, a back member embodying uprights pivotally connected intermediate their ends to said side members, supporting blocks secured to said. uprights and having concaved upper faces, a seat support pivotally connected to said blocks, a flexible cover connected to the back member and extending over said blocks and seat support and links pivotally con-- necting the seat support and said side members.

2. in a chair, spaced supports, side members pivotally mounted thereon, a back member embodying uprights pivotally connected intermediate their ends to said side members, a seat support pivotally connected to said back member intermediate the pivotal mounting thereof and the lower ends of said uprights, a flexible cover therefor, links pivotally connecting the seat support and said side members, a leg support pivotally connected to the forward edge of said seat support and links pivotally connected to the leg support intermediate its ends and to the lower ends of said uprights.

3. In a chair, spaced supports, side members pivotally mounted thereon, a back member embodying uprights pivotally connected intermediate their ends to said side members, a seat support pivotally connected to said back member, a flexible cover therefor, links pivotally connecting the seat support and said side members and means for look ing said side members against rotation with,

relation to said supports,

at, in a chair, spaced supports, side mem bers pivotally mounted thereon, a back mem ber embodying uprights pivotally connected intermediate their ends to said side memhere, a seat support pivotally connected to said back member, a flexible cover therefor, links pivotally connecting the seat support and said side members, means for locking said side members against rotation with relation to said supports and means connecting said back member and one of said side members normally preventing rotation of the back member about its pivot.

5. in a chair, spaced supports, side members pivotally mounted thereon, a back member pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said side members, a seat support pivotally connected to said back member, a flexible cover therefor, links pivotally connecting the seat support and said side members, and releasable means connecting said back member and said side for holding said back member against rotation about its pivot.

6. in a chair, spaced supports, side members pivotally mounted thereon, an arcuate adjusting rail secured to one oi said supresents ports and extending adjacent the corresponding side member, a shiftable clamping member carried by the last named side member and disposed adjacent the face of the adjusting rail and means carried by said side member for shifting said clamping member whereby the adjusting rail is clamped intermediate said clamping member and said side member.

7. In a chair, spaced supports, side members pivotally mounted thereon, an arcuate adjusting rail secured to one of said supports and extending adjacent the corre sponding side member, a shiftable clamping member carried by the last named side memher and disposed adjacent the face of the adjusting rail, means carried by said side member for shifting said clamping member whereby the adjusting rail is clamped intermediate said clamping member and said side member embodying a plate secured to said side member, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted upon said plate and having one of the arms thereof pivotally connected with said clamping member, and a pivoted latch between said latcli member and the other arm of said bell crank lever.

8. In a chair, spaced supports, side members pivotally mounted thereon, a back member pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said side member, a seat support pivotally connected to said back member, a flexible cover therefor, links pivotally connecting the seat support and said side members, and releasable means connecting said back member and said side for holding said back member against rotation about its pivot comprising an arcuate bar secured to the lower end of said back member, a guide plate carried by said side member through which said bar extends, a lever having a cam portion adapted to engage said bar piv otally mounted upon said side member and means for shifting said lever about its pivot.

9. In a chair, suitably supported spaced side members, a back member pivotally connected with said side members, a seat pivotally connected with said back member and normally disposed at approximately right angles thereto and combining therewith to form a chair, means actuated. by shifting of said back member about its pivot for shifting said seat to substantially aline the same with said back member to form a couch and a broken joint link connection between said back and one of said side members for looking said back member against shitting about the pivot thereof when in angular or alined relation to said seat.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

GEQRGE D, GUUDWIN, 

